domains

What is a brandable domain?

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Branding is an enduring buzzword in the business and entrepreneurship space. With more entrepreneurs getting started with their dream cafe, e-commerce site, or revolutionary fintech platform (or maybe a combination of all three?!), it’s no wonder that more companies are seeking ways to distinguish their products and services from the competition.

As more companies look to establish themselves and scale on the Web, a strong online identity becomes a key contributor in surviving and increasing revenue.

Brandable domains can help build a stronger online identity and thus contribute to clientele growth.

What is a brandable domain name?

These are names which are generally short, distinct, and catchy; a good brandable domain should stick out in someone’s mind. There are many different types. When someone in the domain industry refers to a brandable name, most often they mean a made up word or alternate spelling of a dictionary word. The names themselves may have no relationship to the goods or services offered by the company. Consider Google.com, IKEA.com, or Facebook.com. None were actual words, before their respective businesses took off. The word “IKEA” has become synonymous with reasonably priced, decent furniture, and yet it isn’t actually a word (not even in Swedish).  The advantage of a brandable name is that you provide the context and meaning for the name and it’s association to your product or company.

Others can be strong single words, or perhaps creative combinations of two words. Uber.com, Amazon.com, or Freshdesk.com come to mind. Again, we see that the name itself may not necessarily reflect what the company does, but the names are distinctive and easy to remember.

No matter the case, a brandable name is one that helps your company stand out, establishes your brand, and allows flexibility for your company to grow.

Is a brandable domain name right for you?

It depends. Not every company needs a brandable domain name. Sometimes, a descriptive, straightforward domain name, such as DomainAgents.com, is the best option and many companies flourish under these names.

It’s usually good practice to consider your short and long term goals for your domain. Ask yourself whether or not you think your plans may change and how they may change, then decide whether a brandable name is a good fit for your idea.

If you choose to go with a domain using an alternate spelling or made up word, keep in mind you may lose traffic if the correct spelling is used by someone else or if the name fails the radio test for domains and users can’t figure out how to find you.

How can I get a brandable domain name?

Once you’ve decided on the best name for your idea or business, you can register it at your registrar of choice (i.e. Hover.com, NameCheap.com) if it’s available. And if it’s not, be sure to reach out to DomainAgents.com to see how we can help you get your ideal domain name.

Catching the Bus.com

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Sharethebus.com sees remarkable growth after rebranding and upgrading to Bus.com

One of the first things you’ll do when starting a new business is pick a name for it, but what if after a while that name just doesn’t fit anymore?

Businesses are complex, ever-evolving entities with many moving parts, and while their names are just one aspect that contribute to their success or failure, a great name can give a brand a unique identity that differentiates it from its competitors and the wrong name can be limiting or misleading. A strong brand name is vital in improving recognition, creating trust, and generating new customers. With so many startups failing before they even reach the age of one, a startup needs to optimize every facet of their business.

Founded in 2013, Bus.com, as the name suggests, is a transportation website that aims to “simplify the way you plan group transportation by accessing instant quotes from local bus operators, for free”. Before rebranding to become Bus.com, they operated under the name Sharethebus.com, which focused exclusively on “providing shuttle bus seats to get to music festivals and other remotely-located events,” says CEO and Founder at Bus.com, Kyle Boulay.

As with many burgeoning companies, their vision grew along with their business. After years of partnering with rideshare clients, they realized that clients were seeking a more comprehensive solution for their group transport needs. “People need bus rentals for reasons other than festivals, and they need more than just a seat; sometimes, you need your own bus to transport your group,” says Boulay regarding their company’s growth.

It was then that they realized there was a problem. Their horizons were expanding, but with growth comes growing pains. “Our name no longer encompassed who we were,” says the Bus.com CEO. The company needed a new name, which meant an upgraded domain name to fully develop their brand.

It was then that they turned to DomainAgents.com to help them secure the domain they needed for their business.

“We knew what a game changer a category-defining name like Bus.com could be for a startup and worked to find an agreement that would work well for both the domain owner and Kyle and his company,” says Ryan McKegney, CEO of DomainAgents, a domain brokerage and negotiation platform. “We love working with startups and helping contribute in any way we can towards their success.”

After a back and forth negotiation, the company was able to shed its former name, Sharethebus.com, and take on their new identity as Bus.com.

“Rebranding was an essential step in our company’s evolution, since our name now accurately communicates the essence of our company: whether you share a bus or need a whole one, we’ll find you a bus to get you where you need to go,” asserts Boulay.

Since upgrading to Bus.com in the past year, with the help of DomainAgents to secure the name they needed, the company has grown multiple times. With talented new team members now on board with various skill sets and backgrounds, the company continues to forge ahead to take the hassle out of group travel.

“Our company vision and goals have also experienced remarkable transformation and growth as we continue to improve the future of group travel through charter bus rentals,” says Boulay.

Tens of thousands of investors, entrepreneurs, and corporate clients trust DomainAgents.com to secure the domain name they need. Could upgrading your name through DomainAgents be the key to building a better brand? Make an offer today and let us help with your next big thing.